Which Second-Year Player Will Become an X FACTOR in 2026?

We know it's not very humble to say, "I told you so." But...we told you so! At this time last year, we highlighted Cole Bishop and Kris Jenkins - among others - as potential x-factors. And for better or worse, both Bishop and Jenkins were x-factors during the 2025 season. So, we're running it back. Robert Mays, Dave Helman, and Derrik Klassen bring you 15 more players that could be x-factors for their teams in 2026.

0:00 Welcome to the show
1:38 Vita Vea & Jalen Carter news
6:46 There’s always money in the Eagles banana stand
14:16 Jared Wilson
17:47 Will Campbell
20:37 Barrett Carter & Demetrius Knight
26:45 Just be guys
27:06 “Who do I wanna piss off?”
27:55 Anthony Belton
34:04 You’re ready to get what, Dave?
34:14 Terrance Ferguson
39:47 Matthew Golden
46:13 Travis Hunter
50:26 Tyleik Williams
51:22 WHAT?!
51:51 He lost a 6-year old
54:05 Tate Ratledge
58:46 TJ Sanders
59:12 Pat Bryant
59:39 Lathan Ransom
1:01:50 Donovan Ezeiruaku
1:02:33 Key San Francisco 49ers

For more Athletic Football Show content:
- Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow
- Follow The Athletic Football Show wherever you listen to podcasts: podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view
- Twitter: x.com/TA_FootballShow
- IG: instagram.com/tafootballshow
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@tafootballshow
- .com/footballshow